Dinosaurs

I was in Harrogate yesterday and saw this ! It took me back to those 'high and far off days O best beloved' when I was teaching in primary schools and often used this poem - 

         The dinosaurs are not all dead.
         I saw one raise its iron head
        To watch me walking down the road
        Beyond our house today.
        Its jaws were dripping with a load
        Of earth and grass that it had cropped.
        It must have heard me where I stopped,
        Snorted white steam my way,
        And stretched its long neck out to see me,
        And chewed, and grinned quite amiably.

This 'dinosaur' wasn't eating grass of course, but the old Sunwin House building, being demolished to make room for more restaurants and shops.

Blue skies and Blossom

The moment may have passed - google+ refused to upload my pic last week because of the inadequency of the security on my (cheap) phone - but this glorious sight last Tuesday needs a viewing !

I was walking with my friend Judith - a monthly meeting that began 18 years ago - on the disused railway track between Wetherby and Spofforth, when we came upon this fabulous blossoming loveliness set against the bluest sky I have seen since last summer ! It lifted both our hearts and , I would imagine, the heart of anyone who was lucky enough to be walking there on the same day. As it is so early I presume it must be Blackthorn though we couldn't see any thorns. I will make a point of looking for sloes there in the Autumn . The only other possibility I can think of is that it might be a garden escapee and be a variety of Japanese Cherry. There are some flowering around here - though sadly not in my garden. I will have to wait a while until my potted miniature one will be in flower.

insect house

Finished and mounted ! The wrong time of year of course for hibernation but perhaps it will attract some solitary bees this summer.
I have had to mount it on the West facing side of my hut. I thought it would be better on the South side for the winter but it is too big to go on it.

Even if nothing uses it, it looks jolly and my DH has enjoyed making it for me.

Ironworks

Had a splendid time in the Midlands last weekend - can't imagine why people are so disparaging about Birmingham - parts of the city centre are as beautiful as any Continental city !
I was very taken with this ironwork I noticed in Victoria Square.

 I must remember paper and wax the next time I go. Could even have a go with fabric and Markals. Think I would need a kneeling pad too and probably have to go early to avoid anyone thinking I was daft. There is a world of difference between thinking and knowing !

There were beautiful iron benches too - perhaps on my next trip to Brum (May), it might even be warm enough to sit on one!

Last day !

Well I thought I would wind up this daily blog with an indication of the reason (excuse!) that I struggle with eating. Actually that's not true - I have no problem at all with eating but rather with moderation !
 Virtually every week, a local group/charity runs a coffee morning in the Town hall and this week was no exception -

Quite why we have an active Lifeboat charity group in our landlocked town is a mystery, but it has been going for years and raises money several times a year. It is almost incumbent on locals to support each weekly event - and as everyone knows everyone else here, one must do one's duty ! Next week it the Methodists - one of the highlight groups as their ladies are prolific and skilled at culinary products and are the source of most of my homemade jams and marmalades (plus the odd cake for the freezer for 'emergencies'!
This next pic is another of the reasons I struggle -

There is an Artisan bakery at Catterick run by army veterans who are no longer fit for active service. It is run in conjunction with a housing association and the patron is the celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager, who used to live down the road from us until moving south last year. The bread is sold twice a week at our market and this delicious sourdough is my Saturday purchase. It lasts us until Wednesday (I freeze half) then I usually buy a rye loaf to do us until Saturday comes round again ! To be truthful, I could live on good bread so have to restrain myself as best I can !
Our lovely bread board was a present from a neighbour - she carved the wheat ear herself.

Almost forgot !

Ir has dawned on me that daily blogging, particularly when one has nothing of value, not to mention interest, to blog is a rather pointless exercise.  I started with good intentions but find myself struggling to post a meaningful blog most days, I have therefore decided that tomorrow's post will be my last in this daily endeavour - and I will have completed a calendar month of posts. One out of twelve isn't great but better than none. Perhaps next year I will go for February which at least has the advantage of fewer days!
A few random pics for a penultimate sign off and maybe I'll find something pertinent tomorrow for 31st.

Still frosty in my garden.

The bubble gum artist made this artwork outside my neighbours house last autumn - the pic is her house (attached to mine) with her name and those of her three children painted in the 'pebbles' that form the border.the lego man is a size indicator.







Just because I like them, these fat lambs were at the Sheep Fair last September.

Bug House (post modernization)

This is my first insect house, (chez hazeltwiglet) built by my own fair hand!!  No frame and no DH to  help me.  It has now been modified so I will take another picture and post it soon.  It houses solitary bees and other bugs.